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Ok, it;s the Jive lessons starting for me next week - any tips / tricks / clues or advice?
Hi Sunnybra
I'm not sure I have much of a tip, except to make eye contact with your partners, because that makes it more fun and less about what you are doing (or not doing) with your feet.
The other thing is to be a little careful with your lead shoulder (right for followers, usually women). I have tears in the tendons around my rotator cuff that are in part from swing and in part from carrying a far too big back pack and maybe a little bit from rock climbing. In any event, just take it easy. Your partners should lead with more than your right arm-- so insist on being a dance partner and not just a swing toy :-) Of course, this all goes out the window if you want to just have fun!
I haven't done much Jive at all. From what I've seen, don't be afraid to lift your knees up and bounce a bit.
I agree on insisting on being a partner instead of a swing toy so pay particular attention when they explain the partner connection for lead and follow as well as ask questions if it just doesn't feel right.
I compete in Jive all the time... and one thing which you might not be able to get to for a while, but which made my life much easier (when you have to do 90 seconds straight of 150+ bpm with a skimpy costume, 7 judges and an entire audience watching, and the pressure to keep the smile and energy up, up, UP the whole time... it's too much, sometimes! I'm glad it's the last in the dance line-up. :D)... were some conversations with my coach about efficiency of movement. If you want to survive those 90 seconds of competition Jive, let alone a lifetime of dancing without major injuries, you can't lift your knee up to your butt every beat, or keep any weight at all on your heels (toes are key!), or do any one of a million things that pro jive dancers *look* like they're doing, but in reality, they're just creating an illusion that works because they go so fast and know how to lean or turn or bend certain ways that trick the eye to some extent.
Some key tips:
- Stay on your toes! My heels never touch the ground in 90% of the dance, and when they do, it's for higher-level moves like the windmill and the chicken walks, which are silver and gold, respectively. I can't think of a single bronze move that I would suggest having your heel touch the ground. This means lean forward, but stay in balance--not too far forward or you'll look hunchbacked. :)
- Keep your knees and ankles LOOSE and never, ever lock them. This will cause severe injuries later on if you don't let the bounce action be absorbed in these two joint pairs COMPLETELY.
- As was mentioned earlier, leads shouldn't be just with the arm. The leader should move his body where he wants his follower to go; not only does this create a more effective and natural lead, but it prevents shoulder and upper-back injuries on the parts of both leader and follower. I've had to ice my shoulder too many times after jive practices!
- If all else fails, take a big breath and smile the biggest, goofiest smile you've ever found the effort to slap on your face. It makes the dance seem more energetic even if your body isn't feeling it.. and if you keep the energy going up in the head, the body will follow soon enough. :)
Good luck! Hope this helps. :)
~ Rachel
Thanks for the tips people, I had high hopes for the jive and wasn't disappointed. Loved it.
Just got to practice at home now ready for next week, couldn't get the turn right in the class.
